Thousands of Altima, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles have been driving for over a decade with a potentially dangerous flaw that Nissan allegedly chose to hide. Now, their owners are taking the company to court.
A new class action lawsuit has just hit the automotive industry in the United States—and Nissan is in the spotlight. The Japanese manufacturer stands accused of knowingly concealing, for more than ten years, a potentially dangerous fault in the locking system of three of its most popular models: the Altima, Rogue, and Sentra. A design flaw that, according to drivers, could leave them trapped inside their own cars—or worse, with doors opening mid-drive.
What are they accusing Nissan of?
The case was filed in a federal court by Deena Khalifa, and the allegations are blunt: Nissan allegedly knew of a defect in its central locking system and failed to notify its customers, offer free repairs, or provide any safety guidance. The affected vehicles include models manufactured between 2013 and 2025. And this isn’t just about inconvenience. Drivers have reported doors unlocking and opening while the car is in motion, or becoming impossible to open once stopped. A scenario that, in an emergency, could have serious consequences.
What does the lawsuit seek?
The plaintiffs are calling for a jury trial, financial compensation, and mandatory repairs at no cost to owners. The case also invokes violations of both the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and California’s Unfair Competition Law, highlighting Nissan’s continued failure to acknowledge or address the problem.
Not the first time Nissan faces quality issues
This case isn’t an isolated event. In 2023, Nissan had to recall over 37,000 Rogue and Infiniti QX80 units due to faulty backup cameras. But what sets this new lawsuit apart is the claim that Nissan actively chose not to issue a recall despite being aware of the issue. According to the complaint, the company “stayed silent,” possibly to avoid the costs involved in large-scale repairs.
And what has Nissan said about all this?
Nothing. At the time of publication, the company had not issued any public statement—a silence that, far from helping, has only increased suspicion among affected customers. In cases like this, transparency isn’t optional—it’s the only way to maintain trust.
What should owners do now?
Anyone driving a Nissan Altima, Rogue, or Sentra from 2013–2025 should check their vehicle for potential lock issues, especially if they’ve already experienced suspicious behavior. Although there is no official recall yet, owners can join the class action lawsuit and prepare for potential compensation or repairs when the court rules on the case.
In the meantime, staying informed and documenting any related malfunctions is the best defense consumers have—especially when manufacturers look the other way.